Hot new products for keeping it cool this summer

We wondered what hot seasonal items are in store at Bed, Bath and Beyond. Turns out what’s hot is cold, says customer service manager Steve Bruno. As in gadgets for staying cool this summer.

Jennifer Mastroianni

With Memorial Day serving as the unofficial start of summer, we wondered what hot seasonal items are in store at Bed, Bath and Beyond.

Turns out what’s hot is cold, says customer service manager Steve Bruno. As in gadgets for staying cool this summer.

The Big Bobber floating cooler is a favorite of his and customers.

“It really works. My parents have a boat at Atwood and they love it,” Bruno said. “It would be great for the lake, tubing, a pool. It holds 12 cans with ice.” Cost is $29.99.

The highest ticket item on Bruno’s list is the Jimmy Buffet Margaritaville margarita machine that sells for $349. Pricey, but the blender gets raves reviews from gadget critics and customers alike.

“It makes the perfect margaritas,” Bruno said. “It’s also really great for milkshakes and smoothies.” Currently with the purchase of the machine, buyers get an additional glass pitcher for free.

A fun family-friendly item is The Camper’s Dream Ice Cream Maker. It’s a plastic ball meant to be booted and tossed to churn the ice cream mix inside.

“Kids throw it and kick it to make ice cream,” Bruno said. “It’s the same concept as making old-fashioned ice cream by hand. It’s very ‘hands-on homemade,’ which is what people seem to really be getting into, especially if it involves the whole family.” Cost is $24.99.

Also popular is a line of plasticware that incorporates ice to keep foods and beverages chilled and fresh. The line includes drink glasses, salad bowls and condiment servers. Bruno’s pick is a pitcher with an ice stick. You freeze the plastic water-filled stick and attach it to the inside of the pitcher.

“You don’t have to put ice in a pitcher and risk watering down the beverage,” Bruno said.

One clever item catching customers’ eyes is the $9.97 set of ice shotglasses. Think ice cubes, but shaped like mini glasses.

Frosty drinks, yes, Bruno says, but frosty hands as well, he acknowledges. “They may be a little hard to hold,” he said.